Democracy US Government

Why do we have governments John Locke=political philosopher Natural rights philosophy What would life be if there was no government? = state of nature Our Human Nature − Self-interest − Not all people are good

The need for a Government The need for authority The need to protect natural rights from human nature Legitimate Government = consent from the people I.e. a representative democracy Illegitimate Government = no consent from the people i.e. a totalitarian government Social Contract Agreement between government and the people

Part 2 The Role of the Government

Constitutional Governments A Constitutional Government has limits Limited Governments = restrains in the power of government Constitution = customs, traditions, rules, and laws a government operated under − Written and unwritten Unlimited Governments = no retrains in the power of government A Constitution is the higher law of a nation

Characteristics of a Constitution Provides the basic rights to all citizens It gives government a set of responsibilities Private domain government cannot interfere in certain areas of individuals’ lives Gives Government limitations Open to the change of time

Written The “written” Constitution Unwritten President’s cabinet Congressional Committees Political Parties Judicial Review

A Democracy Representative Democracy Presidential system Parliamentary democracy Direct Democracy

Direct vs Indirect Democracy Presidential System vs Parliamentary Democracy

Representative Democracy

Presidential system The President chief executive and the head of state. Elected independently of the legislature. Parliamentary Government the head of state: ceremonial role the chief executive: head of the nation’s legislature the chief executive is not chosen by the people but by the legislature. the Prime Minister.

What if Government does not do its job According to John Locke = Government obtains its authority from the people = Social Contract People give authority People can take it away The right to revolution

Forms Of Government As distinguished by Aristotle Ruled by One, a Few, and All

Political Triangle

Libertarian Libertarianism Totalitarian Socialism authoritarianism U.S.S.R Authoritarian Saudi Arabia USA Great Britain Nazi Germany SwedenJapan

Democracy Compromises different political formulas Belief in open society, civil rights, and free elections Voting majority override minority Human rights

Pillars of Democracy Sovereignty of the people Government based upon consent of the governed Majority rule Minority rights Guarantee of basic human rights Free and fair elections Equality before the law Due process of law Constitutional limits on government Social, economic, and political pluralism Values of tolerance, pragmatism, cooperation, and compromise

Five Cornerstones of an ideal Democracy Robert A. Dahl Equality of voting Effective participation Enlighten understanding Citizen control the agenda inclusion